Persistent Storms Trigger Flood Emergency in California and Disrupt Post-Holiday Travel Across the U.S.

Continuous Pacific storms have pushed large sections of California into a flood emergency, while a separate winter system spreads heavy snow and ice across the Northeast, complicating one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The severe weather pattern intensified on December 26, 2025, just as millions of Americans began returning home after the Christmas holiday.

According to regional forecasts, Southern California is receiving a new round of strong rainfall on the heels of earlier downpours that already saturated the ground. Emergency managers report widespread flooding and multiple mudslides in coastal and foothill communities. While exact tallies of damage and evacuations were not immediately released, local authorities confirmed that crews responded to roadway washouts and debris flows in areas that had previously burned in wildfires, where the soil is especially prone to sliding.

The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office warned that additional rain bands could linger for several hours, raising the risk of rapid water level rises in small streams and urban streets. Residents in low-lying neighborhoods were urged to remain alert to changing conditions. The public was also advised to avoid driving through standing water, which can conceal pavement erosion or active mudflows.

Across the wider West, communities from Northern California to the Pacific Northwest experienced similar hazards. Persistent showers contributed to swollen rivers, and highway crews closed temporary sections of mountain passes to clear fallen rocks. In the Sierra Nevada, forecasters expected higher-elevation snow to boost seasonal totals, though the lower slopes faced mixed precipitation that can destabilize snowpack and increase avalanche potential.

While the West dealt with flooding, a separate winter storm marched across the country, bringing freezing rain, sleet and heavy snow to parts of the mid-Atlantic and New England. Meteorologists noted that the frontal boundary separating the two systems helped funnel additional moisture into California, prolonging the rain event there. The Northeast, meanwhile, braced for dangerous travel conditions as icy roads and limited visibility threatened to slow ground transportation.

Holiday travel intensified the impact of the twin weather events. FlightAware data showed thousands of delays nationwide on Tuesday, reflecting both direct weather impacts and ripple effects through the aviation network. Airlines implemented de-icing protocols at major hubs in Chicago, New York and Boston. Although no major airport closures were reported, carriers encouraged passengers to monitor flight status and consider rebooking, citing the high probability of continued schedule adjustments.

On the ground, the American Automobile Association estimated that tens of millions of motorists planned to drive at least 50 miles during the final week of December. Traffic maps displayed stretches of congestion on Interstates 5 and 10 in Southern California, where surface flooding forced lane reductions near drainage channels. Similar slowdowns were observed in the Northeast along portions of Interstates 80 and 95 as snow accumulated.

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Emergency planners emphasized that the overlapping storms underscore the importance of preparedness. In California, county officials stationed sandbag distribution points and issued real-time updates through social media and emergency alert systems. The state’s Office of Emergency Services maintained coordination with local jurisdictions to deploy swift-water rescue teams where necessary. Though river gauges remained below historic crests, forecasters warned that additional rainfall could push some waterways to minor flood stage overnight.

Experts at the National Weather Service noted that the active pattern is tied to a strong El Niño in the equatorial Pacific, which often steers moisture-rich atmospheric rivers toward the West Coast. These bands of concentrated water vapor can deliver several inches of rain in a short period, overwhelming drainage systems and triggering flash floods.

Looking ahead, meteorologists predicted a brief lull in precipitation for California late Wednesday, followed by another storm system slated to arrive before New Year’s Day. Temperatures in the Northeast are expected to remain below freezing through mid-week, prolonging icy conditions on untreated surfaces.

Authorities across the affected regions urged travelers to confirm road conditions, stock vehicles with emergency kits and allow extra time for delays. Residents living near burn scars, riverbanks or on hillsides were advised to review evacuation routes and stay tuned to local advisories, as even moderate additional rain could accelerate landslide activity.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live